With COVID-19 declared as a worldwide pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was implemented overnight in India on March 24, 2020. With no prior warning or anticipation, patient appointments were temporarily ceased as institutions and clinics were indefinitely closed. To our knowledge, no study addresses the orthodontic patient perspective in such testing times, where they are entirely restricted to the confines of their homes. Aim: To assess the impact of the COVID-19-related lockdown on the treatment and psychology of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Material and methods: A self-designed online exploratory questionnaire of 15 questions was distributed to 500 potential responders selected from obtained lists through messages and emails. It was mandatory to answer all questions and the survey was anonymized and did not contain any identifying information. Online consent was taken before participation in the study. The obtained data were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The response rate was 81.6%. The study revealed that the majority of patients were affected by the lack of access to orthodontic visits. The reasons for the same were attributed to fear of increased treatment duration, inconveniences caused by poking wires, broken brackets, etc., and lack of communication between the orthodontists and patients, among the various other reasons. The importance of orthodontic appointments was also understood by patients. Conclusion: The study threw light on the essential need for understanding the psychology of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. In any situation where patients do not have access to seek help, all the factors discussed in the study should be considered and it is of utmost importance that orthodontic professionals see to it that their patients are being looked after mentally, if not physically, in whatever way possible.

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Introduction: The class II malocclusion is one of the most common orthodontic problems and is seen in nearly 1/3 rd of the population. Study was done to assess the treatment induced dentoskeletal cephalometric changes in the frontal facial aspect using the frontal cephalogram. Material and methods: A total of 10 patients of either sex with skeletal class II malocclusion and requiring therapy using twin block myofunctional appliance were included in the study.Standardized digital frontal and lateral cephalograms were taken both pre and post-treatment and Pre-functional and post-functional evaluation of skeletal landmarks and dental landmarks were carried out. The results thus obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Statistically significant correlation (p≤0.05) was found in the following parameters ie ICA (Inter condylar angle), AFH (Anterior facial height), PFH (Posterior facial height), Z-Co, Total facial area, AG-Me-AG when the pre and post treatment variables were compared on the PA cephalograms. Similarly, statistically significant correlation (p≤0.05) was found in the Co-Go (Ramal length), Co-Gn (Effective mandibular length), AFH (Anterior facial height), PFH (Posterior facial height), MPA (Mandibular plane angle) and N perp PG when the pre and post treatment variables were compared on the lateral cephalograms. For the rest of the parameters on either cephalograms, the comparison revealed no data of statistical significance. Conclusion: In conclusion, we believe that the overall cephalometric readings shows minimal change in width but other parameters corresponding to antero-posterior positioning and vertical height shows increment which is contributing to the balanced facial proportions.

Introduction: Ceramic brackets are popular among adult patients who express a desire for more aesthetic appliances. The aim and objectives of this study was to assess the rate of canine retraction and anchorage loss using metal inserts ceramic and stainless steel MBT pre-adjusted edgewise bracket systems. Material and Methods: Nine orthodontic patients who needed 1 st premolar extraction and canine retraction bilaterally in the maxilla as a part of orthodontic treatment were selected. Each patient received 0.022" MBT pre-adjusted edgewise stainless steel brackets and ceramic brackets with metal slots on opposite canine teeth in the maxillary arch. Canine retraction was achieved on 0.019 × 0.025"stainless steel arch wire with elastomeric chain. Measurements were performed by direct technique from stone casts. Results: The mean rate of retraction was 0.985 ± 0.105 mm/ interval and 0.963 ± 0.109 mm/interval for MBT pre-adjusted edgewise stainless steel brackets and ceramic bracket with metal slots respectively. The average difference in the rates was 0.022 ± 0.07 mm/interval. There was no statistical significant difference in the rates between the two groups(p= 0.385). The mean anchorage loss was 0.69 ± 0.13mm for MBT preadjusted edgewise stainless steel brackets and 0.66 ± 0.31mm for ceramic bracket with metal slots The mean difference in anchorage loss was 0.03 ± 0.33mm. The difference in the amount of anchorage loss was also not statistically significant (P = 0.776). Conclusion: Although the rate of canine retraction and anchorage loss between ceramic bracket with metal slot and MBT pre-adjusted edgewise stainless steel brackets showed a clinical difference, it was not statistically significant.

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